Rice Hosts Muslims at State Department Iftar

October 25, 2005

Source: USINFO.org

http://usinfo.state.gov/mena/Archive/2005/Oct/25-764884.html?chanlid=mena

On October 25, 2005 USINFO.org ran an article on the Iftar dinner hosted by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on October 25. In her address to the Muslim community, Rice thanks Muslims for their contributions to American society. "In recent months, Muslims around the world have demonstrated the qualities of generosity and benevolence that are at the heart of religious traditions surrounding the holy month of Ramadan, according to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. '[I]n the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Muslim nations extended some of the most generous offers of support that we received,' Rice told guests at the State Department’s seventh annual Ramadan Iftar dinner October 25.  'And after the recent earthquake in South Asia, the entire world watched as thousands of Muslims, deep in the observance of Ramadan, led the relief effort without breaking their fast'... Rice said that compassion, cooperation and charity, as reflected in Islam and other faiths, are fundamental elements of every society, but especially democracies, which depend on the respectful exchange of ideas."